Sleeping Hermaphroditos / Hermaphrodite Endormi

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Reality Capture from Louvre, Paris The captivating allure of this figure of Hermaphroditos, lying asleep on a sumptuous mattress crafted by Bernini, continues to mesmerize people today. His body merged with that of the nymph Salmacis, who had ardently pursued him despite his rejection, is portrayed as a bisexual figure. The original work that inspired this sculpture dated back to the 2nd century BC, showcasing the late Hellenistic fondness for dramatic flair. Unearthed in Rome near the Baths of Diocletian in 1608, this statue was one of the most revered masterpieces in the Borghese Collection during the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1619, Cardinal Scipione Borghese commissioned renowned Baroque sculptor Bernini to carve the mattress supporting the ancient marble now resting upon it.